Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever and Rose Fever) and Chronic Nasal Congestion

Description

Alternative Names

Symptoms

The general symptoms of rhinitis are congestion, runny nose, and post-nasal drip, in which mucous drips into the throat from the back of the nasal passage, especially when lying on the back. Symptoms may vary depending on the cause of rhinitis. Symptoms of influenza and sinusitis must also be differentiated from allergies and colds.

Symptom Phases

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis occur in two phases, early and late.

Early Phase Symptoms. The early phase occurs within minutes of exposure to the allergens and includes the following:

• A runny nose.
• Frequent or repetitive sneezing.
• Itching in the nose, eyes, throat, or roof of the mouth.

Late-Phase Symptoms. The late phase occurs four to eight hours later and may have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Nasal congestion and possibly plugged ears. Children may push their nose upward with the palm of their hand or twitch their nose rabbit-like to clear obstruction.
• Fatigue.
• Mental changes in some cases include irritability, a slight decrease in attention span, worsened memory, and slower thinking.
• Other common physical symptoms include a decreased sense of smell, plugged ears, sinus headache, postnasal drip or some combination. In severe allergies, dark circles under the eye. The lower eyelid may be puffy and lined with creases.